[rt-users] apache spins cpu

[Kevin Murphy]

Several times I've noticed one or two of my Apache processes sucking 
cpu scandalously (see ps output below), and I'm looking for 
troubleshooting tips.   The load is essentially nonexistent.  This 
server is accessed a couple times an hour on average.   Once an apache 
child starts doing this, it continues until I restart apache.

Apache 1.3.28
mod_perl 1.28
RT 3.04
Mason 1.22
Mac OS X 10.2

The apache log files show no activity.  The system log file shows no 
activity.  Just for fun I tried ktrace on the runaway processes, and it 
shows absolutely nothing.  (ktrace on other processes shows interesting 
things happening).

[localhost:rt3/var/log] jimcrack# ps axu | grep httpd
nobody   14878  100.4  1.0    29104  15920  ??  R    11:23PM 214:58.80 
/usr/local/apache/bin/httpd
nobody   14867  83.4  1.5    32692  23280  ??  R    11:20PM 213:55.10 
/usr/local/apache/bin/httpd
root     14747   0.0  0.1    25708   1380  ??  Ss   10:30PM   0:03.25 
/usr/local/apache/bin/httpd
nobody   14748   0.0  1.3    31444  20552  ??  S    10:30PM   0:07.86 
/usr/local/apache/bin/httpd
nobody   14749   0.0  1.5    32664  23344  ??  S    10:30PM   0:09.92 
/usr/local/apache/bin/httpd
nobody   14750   0.0  1.5    32980  23880  ??  S    10:30PM   0:09.40 
/usr/local/apache/bin/httpd
nobody   14751   0.0  1.4    32232  22652  ??  S    10:30PM   0:17.03 
/usr/local/apache/bin/httpd
nobody   14752   0.0  1.5    32744  23532  ??  S    10:30PM   0:06.69 
/usr/local/apache/bin/httpd
nobody   16568   0.0  1.5    32472  23368  ??  S    10:36AM   0:09.10 
/usr/local/apache/bin/httpd
nobody   16569   0.0  1.4    31180  21896  ??  S    10:36AM   0:07.47 
/usr/local/apache/bin/httpd
nobody   16570   0.0  1.4    31436  22012  ??  S    10:36AM   0:10.12 
/usr/local/apache/bin/httpd

Thanks,
Kevin